The Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Clement Nwankwo, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must issue election notices at least 360 days before the conduct of any election, in line with constitutional and legal provisions.
Nwankwo made this assertion on Wednesday while responding to questions during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time.
Naijaonpoint reports that the civil rights advocate warned that the National Assembly could no longer afford to delay the passage of the Electoral Bill, stressing that time was running out and electoral reforms must now be treated as a priority.
According to him, adequate preparation for elections depends largely on the certainty and stability of the legal framework guiding the process.
Nwankwo said Nigeria’s electoral system is already guided by clear provisions contained in both local and international legal instruments.
“We need time for preparation for the election. We need certain things in the electoral laws and legal framework, both the international instruments, including ECOWAS protocols, the Nigerian Constitution and, in fact, the Electoral Act stipulates the need for certainty in electoral law,” he said.
360-day notice still In the Electoral Act
The PLAC executive director noted that the requirement for a 360-day election notice remains firmly entrenched in the 2022 Electoral Act, dismissing concerns that the provision might have been altered or removed.
“When you look at the Constitution and the Electoral Act, it’s quite clear saying that you must give notice of election 360 days before the elections,” Nwankwo said.
“And those 360 days are still in the current 2022 Electoral Act, so it’s not a problem.”
He, however, stressed that beyond the legal provision, there are critical announcements and formal pronouncements that must be made by INEC to activate the process.
“But there are announcements and pronouncements and stipulations you need to put out in terms of that notice being issued,” he added.
Nwankwo also commended the National Assembly for its ongoing work on electoral reforms, describing the legislative process so far as encouraging.
“I must say that the National Assembly has been fantastic. The Senate and the House of Representatives are going through the process of deliberations, reviews, conversation and actually do have a document,” he said.
He urged lawmakers to fast-track the process to avoid last-minute changes that could undermine public confidence and the integrity of future elections.
According to him, certainty in electoral laws remains a cornerstone for credible elections and democratic stability in Nigeria.